Welsh football was dealt a massive blow on Sunday with the news that national team manager Gary Speed took his own life at his Cheshire home.

Speed, 42, had been in charge of the Welsh side for just under 12 months.

A former captain of his country and a real Premier League legend, Speed was one of the good guys In British football.

He had transformed the Welsh team over the last few months, and they look to have a decent chance of at last holding their own in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers, where they will take on the likes of Serbia and Belgium in a pretty even-looking group.

The bold decisions he made had revitalised our football loving nation to a point where no longer were we the laughing of this football crazy island.

For the first time since the likes of Speed himself, Craig Bellamy and John Hartson were on the brink of reaching Euro 2004.

There are some truly excellent performers within this current side.

The biggest and probably best decision Speed made whilst in charge was making Aaron Ramsey the skipper.